Ozempic

Use Ozempic injection pens exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Usual Adult Dose of Ozempic for Diabetes Type 2:

Initial dose: 0.25 mg subcutaneously once a week for 4 weeks
-After 4 weeks, the dose should be increased to 0.5 mg subcutaneously once a week
Maintenance dose: If additional glycemic control is needed after 4 weeks of 0.5 mg once a week, may increase dose to 1 mg subcutaneously once a week
Maximum dose: 1 mg once a week

Comments:
-The initial dose of 0.25 mg per week is not effective for glycemic control.
-This drug is not recommended as a first-line therapy due to the uncertain relevance of rodent C-cell tumor finding.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Ozempic is injected under the skin. You will be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Ozempic is usually given once per week at any time of the day, with or without a meal. If you want to change your weekly injection day, wait at least 2 days after your most recent injection before giving another one.

Your care provider will show you the best places on your body to inject Ozempic. Use a different place each time you give an injection. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

Do not use the medicine if it has changed colors or looks cloudy, or if it has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can happen to everyone who has diabetes. Symptoms include headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky. To quickly treat low blood sugar, always keep a fast-acting source of sugar with you such as fruit juice, hard candy, crackers, raisins, or non-diet soda.

Your doctor can prescribe a glucagon emergency injection kit to use in case you have severe hypoglycemia and cannot eat or drink. Be sure your family and close friends know how to give you this injection in an emergency.

Also watch for signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination, blurred vision, headache, and tiredness.

Blood sugar levels can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Ozempic is only part of a complete treatment program that may also include diet, exercise, weight control, regular blood sugar testing, and special medical care. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Storing unopened Ozempic injection pens: Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze Ozempic injection pens, and throw away the medication if it has become frozen. Do not use an unopened injection pen if the expiration date on the label has passed.

Storing Ozempic after your first use: You may keep an "in-use" injection pen in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Protect the pen from heat and sunlight. Remove the needle before storing an injection pen, and keep the cap on the pen when not in use. Throw the injection pen away 56 days after the first use.

Use a disposable needle only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Ozempic: hives, itching; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of a thyroid tumor--swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;

• symptoms of pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting, fast heart rate;

• low blood sugar--headache, confusion, blurred vision, trouble speaking, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky; or

• kidney problems--little or no urination; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath.

Common Ozempic side effects may include:

• nausea (especially when you start using Ozempic), vomiting, stomach pain;

• diarrhea; or

• constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You should not use Ozempic if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis.

In animal studies, Ozempic caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses.

You should not use an Ozempic injection pen if you are allergic to semaglutide, or if you have:

• multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands);

• a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer); or

• diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

To make sure Ozempic is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• problems with your pancreas;

• stomach problems causing slow digestion;

• kidney disease; or

• eye problems caused by diabetes (retinopathy).

In animal studies, Ozempic caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using regular doses. Ask your doctor about your risk.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Ozempic can have long-lasting effects on your body. Avoid getting pregnant for at least 2 months after you stop using this medicine.

It is not known whether semaglutide passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Ozempic injection pens are not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Semaglutide can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• insulin; or

• oral diabetes medicine--Glucotrol, Metaglip, Amaryl, Avandaryl, Duetact, DiaBeta, Micronase, Glucovance, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with semaglutide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.